A year after releasing his breakthrough solo debut, Never Too Much music fans were provided with his second album, Forever, for Always, for Love. Luther’s sophomore album opens with the lead single “Bad Boy/Having a Party,” where Vandross continues his successful collaborations with composer Marcus Miller. From the moment we hear the opening chords, we know we are in for a good time. And I’ve always loved the bridge samples the chorus from the Sam Cooke song “Having a Party.”
Vandross continues his signature of covers with a take on The Temptations classic “Since I Lost My Baby.” The singer effortlessly makes the song his own and never tries to mimic the original lead vocals by Temps members David Ruffin and Melvin Franklin. In all honesty, I prefer the Vandross version of the song. The balladry continues on the album’s title track, where he effortlessly croons and showcases his ability to sing anything.
Two of my favorite Vandross songs, “Better Love” and “Promise Me,” are up next, and while both songs are album tracks, they put to shame entire albums released by singers three decades later. Philadelphia rap-duo Young Gunz sampled “Better Love” on their hit “No Better Love” ft. Rell. While New Edition & Bell Biv DeVoe member Ronnie DeVoe sampled “Promise Me” on his obscure song Private Letter feat. Johnny Gill. The remaining album tracks include dance floor staples “You’re the Sweetest One” and “She Loves Me Back” both of which are feel-good grooves. Vandross closes the album with the semi inspirational “Once You Know How.”
Luther Vandross is, without a doubt, one of the greatest singers of all time. Throughout an 8 song collection, Luther started to show the signs of his dominance in the male R&B field. While singers of today are only concerned with having one hit for streaming Vandross did the opposite in his day. If Vandross was still with us, he would ensure that had an entire album could have any song released as a single.
Top Tracks: “Bad Boy/Having a Party,” “Better Love,” and “Promise Me”
Final Grade A
Forever, for Always, for Love is available on all streaming platforms.
One of the great things about buying a soundtrack when I was in my DJ prime was discovering a slow jam that I could put on my mix CDs. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to highlight one of the songs: Jagged Edge’s cover of Air Supply’s, “All Out of Love.”
After twenty-six years in the game, Atlanta-based quartet Jagged Edge is currently on the road celebrating the anniversary of their magnum opus sophomore album, “J.E. Heartbreak,” with a tour titled “An Intimate Evening With Jagged Edge.” To kick off our seventh wedding anniversary celebration, my wife and I will be the D.C. date on the tour this coming Wednesday.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to travel back to 1999 and show some love to R&B group Amyth, which was initially signed to LL Cool J Rock the Bells Records. Hailing from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the group was formed in 1995 while the members were students at Southern University.
Reviews And Dunn is a unique blog showcasing all things cinema, music & theater.